Bollywood actor Salman Khan has approached the Delhi High Court to safeguard his personality rights, filing a petition against multiple known and unknown parties allegedly misusing his identity for commercial gain. The matter is scheduled for hearing on December 11 before Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. According to Khan’s plea, his name, image, voice, and other personal attributes have been exploited without permission.
Personality rights, often referred to as publicity rights in India, are designed to give individuals control over the commercial use of their identity. With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence technologies, instances of misusing celebrities’ voices, images, and videos have surged, making legal protection increasingly critical. These rights ensure that a person can decide how their likeness and persona are displayed or monetised.
Salman Khan joins a growing list of Indian celebrities seeking judicial intervention to protect their identity. Stars such as Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Nagarjuna have previously moved courts to prevent unauthorised commercial use of their names, images, and voices. Many of these cases stem from concerns over AI-generated content, online scams, and deepfake videos.
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In recent cases, Akshay Kumar obtained interim protection from the Bombay High Court in October 2025 after his likeness was misused in AI-generated content. Similarly, the Delhi High Court had restrained websites from exploiting Anil Kapoor’s image and voice, including his iconic catchphrase “jhakaas.” Nagarjuna also secured an interim injunction in 2025, highlighting the judiciary’s growing role in protecting celebrity identity rights.
Legal experts note that the surge in such petitions reflects broader concerns about digital privacy, online impersonation, and the commercial exploitation of personal identity. The courts are increasingly recognising the need to safeguard public figures while deterring fraudulent or unauthorised use of their persona.
As celebrities like Salman Khan take proactive legal measures, these cases are setting precedents for stronger enforcement of personality rights in India. Observers say that with AI and social media usage expanding rapidly, judicial protection of celebrity identities will continue to be a key issue in the coming years.
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